chaskaquilter

Just found out today that the quilt shop in my small town of Chanhassen MN is closing and the Mill End Textiles in MN are also closing. I loved going into my quilt shop and talking quilts and patterns and looking, feeling and buying all their beautiful fabric. I also visited their Bernina machines and fantasized about owning one. The Mill End Textiles were a wonderful place to go for fabrics. Heaps of them all piled on tables. There is still a nice quilt shop in Shakopee MN that I can go to. Farther away, but I will make the drive once in a while. I don't mind buying on line, but you can't get to feel the fabrics and sometimes the color isn't exactly what you wanted. Are the brick and morter stores going away due to the internet?

Tartan

I think a lot of the store just can't compete with online prices. The stores that are thriving like Missouri Star Quilt Co. offer both a store and online sales. This year MSQC is opening up a retreat center in their town.

Pennyhal

All of my favorite quilt stores...about 6 of them...have closed and it wasn't due to the online stores. It simply was that fabric has gotten so expensive, a lot of people lost jobs and didn't have money, and when money is tight, people give up their hobbies first. There are a few that have survived and some smaller ones, but there really isn't as much variety or I have to drive farther in search of what I want. I guess I was spoiled living in an area where there were so many so close, but I morn their closing and I really dislike shopping online as you just can't judge the quality of fabric and color until it arrives and then it's too late. I shop as much as I can at my LQS just to keep them in business, and their prices are the same as the online stores and I don't have to pay shipping.

bearisgray

Wonder why they are closing? I thought they were doing well ---

I did my part in keeping them going!

grandjan

It seems like very time I turn around, another quilt store has closed it's doors. The one in my home-town gave up about nine months ago. Now, the nearest shop is an hour away. Inevitably, I think they will be crowded out of the market by the ease and convenience of on-line shopping, in much the same way that book stores have done. It's very sad. I will miss the whole experience but could see it coming when the general fabric stores began to close up some years ago.

QuiltingHaven

And I found out yesterday that The Good Wives is also closing down by the end of the year. I can only buy so much fabric and they have wonderful fabric. However, several of the online quilt shops are also closing. We try but we only have so much money to spend on fabric. Wish I had more....sigh

CherryPie

The quilt store that I went to all the time closed down in September. Sure do miss it. The closest LQS is now an hour and a half away from me. I guess I'll be using online more...shipping would be cheaper than driving.

Lori S

I had one close near me this summer. I think many of us are trying to trim down our stashes since fabric has gotten so expensive. I think it was the perfect storm and both online and LQS closing are the symptom of the bigger economic issues.

JudyTheSewer

I am sorry to hear that. I grew up in Chanhassen and also loved that quilt shop and the Bernina authorized repairman there. I planned on bringing one of my Bernie's out to him the next car trip we took back home. I guess not anymore!

But (most sad to me) is hearing that Mill End is closing!!! Both the Eden Prairie and Burnsville locations?? Most of my stash came from those stores! My friends cut out their coupons for me when I come to visit and it is the highlight of my trips to browse the tables and shelves for wonderful fabrics at fantastic prices. I bought about 30 yards of fabric on my last trip home and had to fit it in my suitcase for the flight home - that was heavy!

Ladies in the south and western suburbs, I am so sorry to read this news.

PS: I have not yet ordered fabric online but I might have to start if my resource in MN is gone.

tjk829

According to the ladies at our local Mills' End, the owners (who are 70 and 72) are retiring. All of the stores are closing, not just in MN. Starting on Sunday fabric is 30% off, no coupons. I wish I could go one more time, but I am on call and can't leave the area. Sure will miss them!